Lighting equipment



W. H. SPENCER LIGHTING EQUIPMENT Filed July 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 6, 1927; 1,651,640

W. H. SPENCER LIGHTI NG EQUI PIENT F'l d J 1. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheetz Z 1 e gy INVENTOR WITNESS gW Mix 8 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 W. H. SPENCER LIGHTING EQUIPIENT Filed July 1, 1925 Dec. 6, 192 7.

Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

' UNITED stat restate res rarest aortic-a;

WILLIAM H. srnn'onn, or BoeotrA, nnwannsnmnssionon'ro I. P. FitINK, me, OF-NEW YQRK, N. Y.', A CORPORATION on NEW YORK.

' 'nrenrme EQUIPMENT.

Application filed July 1.

I This invention relates to lighting equipment for show windows, theatres and the like and has for its principal object to provide an improved construction comprising 7 reflector units mounted in equipped with lamp sockets and completely wired and assembled prior to installation.

One of the objects of my inventionis'to provide a lighting equipment of improved sectional construction which may be adapted to installations of different size and disposition, wherein, lamps of different powers may be used interchangeably, and whereby more light in a useful direction may be secured.

Another object is to provide an improved built-up construction of interlocking parts which may be assembled without the use of bolts, screws, nuts or solder and in standard sectional units.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for mounting a light ing equipment of this character so as to secure the most'favorable results with respect to its disposition and adjustment.

For this purpose, my invention contemplates an improved construction consisting of reflector units assembled. in completely furnished sections, wired and ready for installation by a simple electrical connection with established circuits. 1

In virtue of its several features of con struction alluded to above andhereinafter described and claimed, practically 80% of the work heretofore required of an electri cal contractor under present-day practice, can

be eliminated. Thus, for example, the present-day practice in making an installation of individualrefiector unitsin show win-, dows, consists in running conduit the entire width of the window, in providing conclulets or outlet boxes for each individual reflector, in pulling through the feed wires and providing taps to the lamp receptacles,

' after which the lamp receptacles and reflector holder are attached, and finally, in installing the reflectors.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the specification and be pointcd out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which show a. preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of a shop window reflector constructed in ac eel-dimes with the principles of theresent:

bein shown in elevation.

plicable in purposes. 1

1925.: Serial No. 40,775.

invention, parts being broken away and some of the reflector units being removed.

. F lgure 21s a partial longitudinal section of the same on an enlarged scale, said seca housing tion corresponding to line 22 of Figure 3, parts being shown .inelevation'; 7

Figure 3 is a sectionon the line 8-3 of Figure 2, parts being shown in elevation, Figure 4 is an end elevation of the reflector as it appears when supported from above i V i I I Figure 5-isarear elevation of a battery of reflector units supportedfrom above by suspension brackets of improved construct n. p I

Figure 6 1s an enlarged seotionon the line 66 of Figure 5. I

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 7-7 ofFigure 1, parts being shown in elevation.

Figure Sis a fragmentary section on the line 8'8 of Figure 7, parts being shown in plan. v -5 Figure 9 is a side elevation from the left in Figure 8. a

Figure 10 is a section on the line 1010 of Figure 7, parts being shown in plan.

the right in Figure 7.

tion on the line 1212 of Figure 1, parts Figure 13 is a'section on the line 1313, Figure 12, parts being shown 1n elevation.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sec- .tion on the line 145-14 of'Figure .4.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary section on'th-e line 15-15 of Figure 4, parts being broken away and parts shown in elevation.

The drawings show an embodiment of my, invention adapted more especially to the requirements of show-window lighting but apprinciple to the theatre and other Within a trough-like housing constructed. of sheet metal suitably bent 5 to formpanels 1, 2,3, 1, 5 and (lot unequal widths, are a plurality of'removably mount- Figure 11 is a side elevation taken from ed reflector units 7. Aocording to Figure3 of the dra-wlngs, panels 1 and 6 of said 'housing are'provided with-fiat, longitudinal seats 8, 8, for seating the outwardly presented fianges'il, of the reflector units" 7. A U shaped bend 10 along the edge of panel 6, provides the rear seat 8 as "well 'asa chain ename ed groove 11 for eaereeeptiea at plates .13, 13 for the housing, may be provided with bent-over flanges 16 fitting over the end edges of panels 1, 2, 8, 1, 5 and 6,

and in order to avoid the use of screws, bolts and so forth, the end plates 18, 13 are provided with suitable slots or openings 14;

(see Figure 14.) adapted to receive the tongues or projections 15 which form integral portions of said panels. As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 1, each of the end plates 13,13 is provided with a circular bearing aperture for the reception of a belt or screw 17 carried in the outer end of a bracket 18, said bracketbeing provided with a base pad 19 which maybeinounted on a window head 20, or suspended from the ceiling as shown in Figure 4. By means of this construction, the reflector housing is adapted to be adjusted angularly to present the aperture thereof in, any desired direction within certain limits determined by conditions to be hereinafter referred to;

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 8, an

elongated; plate or support 21 which is arranged substantially parallel to the aperture of the housing, has its lateral. ec ge portions 21 21 bent'over at an angle to bring said portions flat against the panels 3 and 5. At suitable intervals, tongues 3 and 5 are stamped from the panels, 3 and 5 to interlock with said bent-over portions of'said plate or support. At either end the plate 21 terminates short'of the end. walls 13, additional tongues 3 and 5 being stamped from the panels 3 and 5 to hold said plate against endwise displacement.

From an inspection of Figure 2, it will be seen that a sectional double endedsocliet 22 is arranged between. and 'exteriorly to each pair of refiect-orsfi', said socket being secured to the plate or support 21 by suitable screws 23, F or this purpose, tie adjacent wall of each of said reflectors is provided with an opening 24: in coaxial alinement with said socket to accommodate the latter and to permit the arrangement of'incandescent lamps 25in proper relations to said reflectors 7 lViththis arrangement. lamps using 75, 100, 150' or 200-watts may be interchangeably employed in proper focus with respect to the reflectors 7. According to the embodiment of my invention shown on the drawings, each reflector unit is positively located within the outer housing by its confinement between the longitudinal seats 8 S, which engagethe lateral flanges 9, 9 of re fiectors 7 and otl cr fixed and movable supports which releasably lock the flanges 79, 9 in position against said seats. For this purpose, suitable transverse supports. are arranged at intervals to extend across the ape r ture of said housing and in suitable position to engage the flanges 9, 9 at" the ends and around the corners of said reflectors; From an inspection of Figures 1, 2 and 13 it will be seen that within each corner of the hous .9, 9 on the reflector units are brought to rest on the seats 8, 8. Midway of its length, the opposite apertural'edges of said housing are permanently connected by a fixed bar or support 28 which is secured at opposite ends by interlocking slot and tongue connections similar to those shown in Figures 10 and 11 for the releasable strapsorbars 29 to be presently referred to. Thus, as shown. in Figures 10 and 11,- theright hand-end of each of the releasable straps or supports 29 carries an integrally-formed tongue 31 pro vided with laterally presented ears or lugs 32 which may be bent upwardly at right angles to the tongue to adapt them and the tongue to be passed through substantial U- shaped slots 30, and afterwards pressed flat against the top surfaces of the channelled section 10 and right angled flange 12. Adjacent one end of the strap or'crossbar 28 as at the right of Figure 12, a leaf spring 5O has one end interlocked with an upwardly pressed portion 28 of strap 28. Through the free end of leaf spring 30 extendsa pin 33 which has its upper end 34 upset to prevent its retraetienfrom said spring. Said pm extends through an aperture in the strap or support 28 and is provided below said support with a finger grip'or loop 36 which is raised into cna'agementwith the under surface of said support by the tension in leaf spring 3O or into clamping engagement with one edge of a screen or plate 37 as shown in full lines in Figure 12, the other edge of said plate or screen being disposed-in channelled section 10 and: retained against displacement therefroinby flange 12' in conjunctionwith loop 36 when iii-positionshownin full lines in Figure 12. The opposite lateral edges of the strap or support 28 are provided with inwardly turned flanges 38 over which the adjacent ends of reflectorunits which are to he supported by said strap may be passed after which the lateral flanges of said units are moved into engagement with lateral seats 8, 8 along the apertural edges of said housing. This mov in ent brings the other ends of refiector units 7, 7 adjacent to the inwardly presented end flanges of those reflector units resp ctively which rest at their outer ends upon the corner plates 26, 26 at opposite ends of the housing is provided near the right-angled flange 12. with a low broad 'U-shaped slot through which is passed an integrally formed end'portion of each strap 29,1comprising a flat tongueBl with upwardly bent tabs or lugs'32. ",As shown in vFigures 10 "and 11, the lugs 32, 32 are then flattened.

down against the top surface of the angular flange 12. Opposite to the hinged end of the cross strap 29 is a bent metal stra com prising central body portion 33* in contact with the inner surface of panel 6 of the housing, laterally presented attachment lugs 34? adapted to be bent and passed through slots 35*, and flattened against the outer surface of said panel 6, and parallel arms or project-ions 3F and 37 Turnable' in alinedpertorationsin the parallel arms 36 and 3'? is a pin or key 38 which is upset at its upper end to retain it against axial displacement. A circular finger grip 39 at the lower end of said pin or key is adapted to be turned from full line position shown in cleaning; repairs, etc, either one or both of,

Figure 7 in which the transverse bar or strap 29 is-held in raised position to dotted line position in which it is disposed trans,- versely to said strap 29 and in position to release that end of the strap. As shown in Figures 2 7; 8 and 10, said strap is provided with lateral flanges 41 which are adapted to engage the inner end walls 'o f the reflector units. The straps 29 in raised position, co

operate with fixed strap 28 in holdingthe reflector .units 7 7 in position against the seats 8 8v It will be understood from this description that whenever the reflector units are to be removed for an 1 purpose'such as said reflector units at either end may beremoved or replaced by merelydropping the ransverse strap 29 to release the adjacently disposed ends of said units. Both the fixed and hinged transverse straps 28, 29 and 29 are provided with a series of ventilating holes or openings 41. From'an inspection of Figures 2 and 3, it will be seen thatiboth' 7 ends of each reflector unit are provided with ventilating holes 42. It will be turthe'r 'apparent that the holes 41* are disposed midway between the end walls of different" refiector units and' adjacent to the holes 42.

A central aperture 43 isprovided-at the top of each'reflectordomei, said apertures being in re ister with onenin 's 44 in to slate 21.

b L b As shown best at the right-hand of Figure. t 7, each of the hingedtransverse straps 29,

through openings 41 in theltran'sversa I its axis. After such an determined to meet the-requirements of any particular sltuation or installation, spur 29 is provided with a resiliently "mountedpin or bolt 34 with'finger loop 36 of substantially the same construction and for the same purpose as thatshown and described in connection with Figure12.-;Arranged above each of the'doublesectionalsookets 22 and in each of the panels 4 and above top plate 21, are clusters oi ventilating '.op'enings (only one of said Jclusters being shown in Figure 2) which'serve' to discharge heated air through thetopwall oi the o flector housing. It will be understood from' a this description that cold air I admitted straps 28. 29 and 29,;is permitted to pass inwardly through the opening 42 to the spaces surrounding the electric lamps 25, upwardly through apertures 43 and 44 and out of the housing through openings 45 in panels 4 and 5 thereof. At the same timecold air is admitted throughholes 41 to the'air'space surrounding the several re ector unitsand thence around the ends ot'top plate 21 or through the holes 44 therein to the openings 45'. It will be understood tromr th-e foregoing description that while the lamps25, 25

are placed directlywithinthe paths ot-jwelldefined'currents of cold 31!,ii10s9 portions of the' r'eflector units 7, 7 which are most subjected to the heating effect of said lamps 7 are similarly exposed to'coolingair currents over their lnner and outer surfaces. 7 Referring now to :Flgure 1 it will be understood that the lifil1i3'Wlll'6S46 for lamps V 25 may be connected up with the double sectional lamp sockets 22 ins'ueha wav s toprovide two circuits for single or al na'te control. For'this purpose, said wires are permanently arranged in the gallery formed between topfplate 21 and the top panels 4'and 5.ofthe housing. It will be seen, therefore, that in making an installation of this character it is onlyncce'ssary l for an electrician to form splices 47; between thewires 46 and the BX cables 48, for example which according to the present adaptation of my'inventi'on may be connected up through any two of the knockouts 24 in one or "the other of the end walls 13.; ot i said housing. brackets 18 are provided with more or less curvature andare constructed to be mounted V in either one of two reversible positions, so as to facilitate the arrangement 0'? the knocl out holes with respect to said brackets by an angular adjustment of the housing; Hi you adjustment has been or set screw 18 which is threaded in bracket 18, 1s vdriven into positive interlockingen-.

gagement with the adjacent end wall 13 of the housing. Figure 5shows in rear elevation three brackets. 18'employed to suspend two lighting sections each otsaidsections;

For this purpose. the end being constructed similar to thathereinbeforedescribed. By reversing the position of the right-hand bracket 1n Figure 5 with respect to the other two brackets, the curva ture in the arms of allofsaidbrackets may be similarly arranged, thus permitting a more favorable arrangement of the kn0ckouts 24 as maybe seen inFigure 4. shown in Figure 6, the arm of central bracket 18 is-interposed between adjacent end walls 13,-13 of two housing sections," a combined connecting bolt and pivot 49 being carried thereby. Tashers 50,50 are interposed between the head of said bolt on one 15 end. and a nut 51 on the other and the corresponding end walls 13, 13 ot the housings.

Referring now to Figures 2, 152 and 13,

it will appearthat each end of the housing is provided with a transversechannel. section 10, said channel sections being adapted to receive the end edges ot the endmost screens or plate glass panels 37. The other ends of said cndmost sections panels 37 are supported adjacent the dance 12 v one-halt of the loop 36 in full line position shown at the right of Figures 12 and 13, The intermediate sections or panels 3? are supported at opposite ends adjacent the flange 12 by oppositely presented halves of the loops The lateral edges of of the plate glass or-screen sections 37 are disposed in channelled flange 10. It will be understood tromthis description that when the sections '10 are tobe inserted, the end sections are inserted into channel sections 10 and then slid longitudinally to bring their outer ends into the-end channels 10 The intermediate panel sections 37 may then be inserted along one edge into channels 10 and their other with respect to said knockputs. The combinatlon with a housing hav- .ing endwalls provided with knock-outs for.

circuit 7 connections, or brackets provided with trunnious for pivotally supporting said housing, a light source 1n said housing, a

conduit for conductors extending from said light source to a point adjacent said knockouts, said brackets having curved arms and base pads adapting 'them to be reversibly and interchangeably mounted, and a set screw movable into and-out of locking-engagement with said housing.

3. In a device of the character described, a housing provided with anelongated aperture, atop plate spaced from the top Wall of said housing and arranged substantially parallei to the plane of said aperture, a pair of reflector units arranged below said top plate and having apertures arranged 1n approximately the plane of said housing aper ture, oppositely presented. sockets depending iromsaid top plate between said reflector units, and said reflector units'being provided with lamp openings correspending to said sockets, and (lamps in said sockets,'said lam; i being arrangedon a common axis-parallel to said top plate. 4-. Thecombination with a housing, provided with a laterally-presented aperture,

of a reflector mounted in said housing and having an aperture in approximately the plane of said housing aperture, a transverse r rector-supporting strap hingedv atone end to one edge of said housing aperture, a latch carried by the other end ofsaid transverse strap tor relea sably engaging the opposite edge of said housing aperture, and a lamp in said reflector. I v i The combination with an elongated housing provided with reflector seats and screen retaining flanges along opposite edges thereof, cit-reflectors provided with lateral flanges resting on said seats and transverse members extending between'the opposite ed 'es or saidhous'ing and clamping saidreflectors in position, said clamping members being provided with means cooperating with said retaining flanges for holding a'screen in position. I

6. The combination with a housing, of'a reflector mounted in sa d housing, a hinged transverse member adapted to supportably engage an. edge of said reflector, a latch car ried by the free end of said transversememher for releasably engaging-an adjacent edge of said reflector, and a lamp in said reflector.

7. The combination with a reflectorhousing having an, elongated aperture provided with, seats arranged along the lateral edges of said aperture, of reflectors arranged in longitudinal series andprovided with outwardly presented lateral and end flanges, means at, opposite endsot the housing aperture for supportably engaging the outer end flanges of the end reflectors of theseries, transverse straps arranged intermediately of the ends ofsaid housing for supporting adjacent end ,flanges of adjoining reflectors,

and means for releasably, connecting some of said straps to said'housing,

8. The combination With an elongated housing provided with laterally spaced seats,

of reflector units within said housing, said reflector unlts having flangesenga lng said seat-s along the top surfaces of sai "flanges,

transverse supports engaging the bottom surfaces at said flanges for holding said reflector units in, position on said seats, oppositely presented lamp sockets arranged within spaces between. adjacent reflector wall thereoi to form a gallery for conductors, conductors therein, double lamp-socket unlts mounted on said strip and connected up to said conductors,individual reflector, units arranged on opposite sides of said units and between said strip and the aperture of said housing, and lamps in said sockets, said dividual reflectors. I r

10. In a lighting'device, the combination lamps being respectively related tosaid inwith a housing provided with an elongated aperture, reflector supports having their opposite ends connected to said housing along the edges of said'aperture, said supports forming a plurality of tra ned openings with r the opposite edges of said housing along said aperture, a top plate spaced from the top wall of said housing and terminating short of the end wall thereof, reflector unit's having apertures corresponding respectively to .said'trame openings, twin lamp receptacles. depending from said top plate between adjacent reflector units, and lamps in said receptacles, said lamps being arranged with in said reflector units. I

11. he combination with a reflector housing provided with oppositely arranged seats, of a reflector provided with oppositely-presented flanges adapted to rest against said seats, and means for holding said flanges againstsaid seats, said means including a flange on said housing extending transversely to said seats and adapted to inter lock with one edge of saidreflector transverse to the reflector flanges, and a releasable strap extending between and transversely to said seats for supportably engaging the'opposite edge of said reflector to that which interlocks with said housing flange.

12. The combination with a housing hav- .ing an aperture, of a reflector havingan aperture corresponding to the aperture in said housing being provided said housing, with a U-shaped groove presented inwardly from along oneedge ofits aperture for re-' ceivn'ig one edge of a screen and a flange presented downwardly along the other edge of said aperture tor preventing the edgewise displacement of said screen away from said groove, and means releasably suppor ing said other edge of the screen.

' 13f'The' combination with a housing pro- I vided' witha longitudinal aperture and a screen supporting flange extendingalongone edge of said aperture and adjacent to the plane ofsaid' apertureyof removable reflector unit s having apertures [corresponding to the aperture oi sa dhousing,said lio,using being provided with moanstor supporting the dis'- tant ends of'said reflectors, and a transverse support movable into and out position to I support the ad acentendsot said reflector units', and means torreleasablysecuring said'j transverse support n reflector-supporting position, said means releasably engaging the edge of said screen opposite to said screen supporting flange.

14. Thecombination withahousinglprd vided with alaterally-presented aperture,-of reflectors", arranged in longitudinal series within] said housing and having laterally? presented apertures arrangedin the aperture of said housing, a tansverse support movable into and out of position to support fthead jacent ends of two of said reflectors, means "carried by thehousing for supporting'lthe opposite ends of said reflectors, a screen-sup porting fiange'extendingalong one edge of I the housing aperture, and a releasable -catch" for securing said movable support 1n reflec:

tor-supporting position, said catch being adapted toreleasablyengage the adjacent edges of screens disposed in "front 0t reflectors.

15. The combination with a reflectorhous-i' ing provided with a laterally-presentedaperture, of aejacently disposed reflectors having apertures arranged within the aperture'ot said housing, a. twin la1npholder arranged between said reflectors, said lamp-holder being provided with lamp-receptacles pre [sented towards-said reflectors respectively, I a separate energ zing c rcuit for each lamp? receptacle, and a lampineach of said lamp} receptacles. I I a a I 16. In a lighting device of the character described, the combination with a housing jacently-disposed reflectors arranged. within provided with-an aperture, of a socket-sup- H. porting plate arranged 1 within said housing and parallel to said, aperture, a pair ot'ad-I the housing between saidplate and aperture, f I

said reflectors being provided with openings I coaxially arranged w th respect to an axis extending parallel to said plate, [a twin socket mounted on said platebetween said reflectors, thesocket-openings of said twin socket being presented toward said openings in the reflectors, and I oppositelyrpresented lamps mounted n said socket-openings and.

within said reflectors. I :I 17. The combination with oppositely-a1 ranged supporting brackets, of a housing) provided with end walls trunnionedlinsaid brackets, knock-outs in one ofsaid end walls, said knock-outs being arranged eccentricall-y with respect to the'axis 01": the trunnions,-a reflector mounted in saidhousing, a lamp in said reflector, conductors for said lamp, and means carried by one of said brackets for engaging the adjacent end-wall of said housing in. any. position to which said housing may be adjusted.

lamp receptacles and [arranged in; said \l'6 twin lamp-socket depending from said plate between the adjacentiwalls of said reflector units, said' twin lamp-socket being provided with lamp-receptacles presented respectively towards the adjacent walls or said reflectors, and lamps mounted in said lamp-receptacles and arranged in said reflectors respectively,

said reflectors beingprovided with openings coaxially arranged With said lamp receptacles. v

19. The combination with a housing pro- 7 vided withlaterally-spaced seats, of a pair of reflector units providedwith flanges in engagement with said seats, transverse sup ports engaging saidflanges for. holding said reflector units against said seats, said. re-

flector units being provided withocoaxially arranged openings in. the adj acently disposed walls thereof, a twin lamp-socket arranged between said reflector units and having lamp receptacles presented toward 'said openings respectively, and lamps mounted in said flector units respectively. v

20; a lighting device, a housing provided with. an... aperture, a .longitudinally,

arranged top plate spaced from the top of said housing, a pair of reflector units arranged within said housing between said top;

plate and the aperture oi said housing, said reflector units having apertures arranged substantially within the aperture of said housing, the adjacent walls of said reflector units 'being'p'rovided with oppositely presented lamp-socketopenings, lamp-sockets mounted on said top plate and presented toward= said lamp-socket openings respectively, and lampsarranged' withinsaid reflector units and extending thru said lampsocket openings into said lamp-sockets re spectively.

:21; Thecombination with a housing provided witha laterall resented a erture of I adjacently-disposed reflectors mountedin said housing and having their apertures presented in a common surface. adjacent the aperture ofsaid' housing, said reflectors being provided withlainp-socket openings in ad.

jacent walls thereof, lamp-sockets arranged between said reflectors and presented towards said openings. respectively, and lamps arranged within said reflectors respectively and mounted in said lamp-sockets.

22. The combination.with'a housing provided with anaperture, of two reflectors arranged within said housing and having their apertures arranged ill 21 common plane within theaperture ofsaid housing, said reflectors being providedwith lamp socketopenings in adjacent walls, said openings beingarrangedon a common axis parallel to the common plane ot the reflector aper--- tures, twin laiiip-soclretsarranged between said reflectors and presented towards said openings respectively, andlanips mounted in said lamp-sockets and within said reflectors,

said twin lamp-sockets being wired in :two circuits topermit thev separate control of said lamps.

WILLIAM H. SPENCER. 

